Playyard, crib, and combined playyard and crib



June 11, 1963 c. T. DE PUY 3,092,847

PLAYYARD, CRIB, AND COMBINED PLAYYARD AND CRIB Filed Dec. 27, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet l 5e 55 su 26 52 a FIG. I 22 2| FIG. 7

a 1: g? a 62 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

CHARLES T. DE PUY June 11, 1963 c. T. DE PUY 3,092,847

PLAYYARD, CRIB, AND COMBINED PLAYYARD AND CRIB Filed Dec. 27, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 2 L fi L 0 56 5 0 sew 2| 3 FIG 4 INVENTOR.

CHARLES T. DE PUY BY 6 E Aforny 4 June 11, 1963 c. T. DE PUY 3,092,847

PLAYYARD, CRIB, AND COMBINED PLAYYARD AND CRIB Filed Dec. 27, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 9

INVENTOR. CHARLES T. DE PUY FIG. 8

tats

PLAYYARD, CRIB,

The present invention relates to playyards or playpens for babies, andmore particularly to a foldable playyard or playpen.

Conventionally, a playyard is an article of baby furniture, used duringthe waking, play hours of the baby. For sleeping, a crib must beprovided. For the average young family, the need to purchase both aplayyard and a crib can oftentimes tax the family budget.

Conventional babies playyards or playpens, moreover, are usually solarge that it is impossible to get them through the ordinary interiordoorway of a house without folding them. This means that if the motherwishes to move the playyard from one room to another, or from a room tooutdoors, and vice versa, she has to fold the playyard, and, if the babyis in it, to take the baby out, before she can transport the playyard.

For ease of folding, conventional playyards are made with foldingfloors. This requires that some means be provided for supporting thefloor at its center. It also adds to their cost.

. One object of the present invention is to provide a playyard which canbe rolled or moved through an ordinary interior doorway without folding,yet which can be folded when it is desired to store it away.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of childsfurniture which can easily be converted from a playyard to a crib, andvice versa, so that the same piece of equipment may serve a baby duringboth waking and sleeping hours.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable playyard whichhas a one-piece floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piece of baby furnitureof the type described which will be light in weight While having therequisite strength, which will be easy to carry about and to transport,easy to handle, and which can quickly and readily be folded or unfolded.

A further object of the invention is to provide a playyard or combinedplayyard and crib which will be compact when folded and occupy a minimumof space.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from thespecification and claims particularly when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevation of a playyard constructed according to oneembodiment of this invention, the playyard being shown opened inposition for use, and the netting being partly broken away;

FIG. 2. is an end elevation, showing the playyard partly folded, thenetting being again partly broken away;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the opened playyard, again with thenetting partly broken away;

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 5 is a top planview of the playyard;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section on the line 5-6 of FIG. 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section on the line 7--7 of FIG. 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an end view illustrating a modification of the invention whichpermits use of the device either as a lee 2 playyard or as a crib, thenetting being again partly broken away; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section on the line 99 of H6. 8.

Each of the playyards shown in the drawings comprises a generallyrectangular frame which is made in two parts, each a generally U-shapedframe member. The bight portions of the two form the longer sides of theframe of the playyard; and the legs of the U-shaped frame members formthe shorter sides of the upper frame of the playyard, one leg of eachU-shaped frame member constituting a part of each short side of theframe, and the other leg of each U-shaped frame member constitutinganother part of each other short side of the frame. The ends of the legsof the two U-shaped frame members are in opposed relation and arepivotally connected to cap members, each of which in turn has twosupporting legs pivoted thereto. The two supporting legs at one end ofthe playyard are aligned, respectively, with the two supporting legs atthe other end of the playyard; and the aligned legs are pivoted at theirupper ends to the associated caps for pivotal movement about a commonaxis. Each pair of aligned legs is connected adjacent their lower endsby a bar which may be integral with the legs or be riveted or otherwisesecured thereto. The floor of the playyard, which is in one piece, ispivotally mounted on one of these bars; and, when the playyard isopened, rests on and is supported by the other bar. The two legs at oneend of the frame have rollers on them so that by slightly tilting theplayyard upwardly it can be rolled over a floor to move it from oneplace to another. The playyard is enclosed by nylon netting or the likewhich is secured at its upper end around the frame and at its lower endaround the floor. When the playyard is in use the U-shaped frame membersare supported from the legs in horizontal position by extended, foldablebraces; and the two legs at each end of the playyard are held apart byother extended, but foldable, braces. To fold the playyard, the bracesare broken and folded, and the floor is lifted by grasping a hand gripprovided in it adjacent one side, and the legs at each end of theplayyard are moved. toward one another.

In one embodiment of the invention the legs are telescoping and can beadjusted to locate the floor of the playyard at different heights. Thus,the device can readily be converted from use as a playyard for use as acrib, and vice versa.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference, and first to theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive, the two U-shapedtubular frame members, which together constitute the frame of theplayyard, are denoted at 10. These frame members are of equal size andare positioned so that their bight portions are parallel and form thelonger sides of the frame, and so that the legs of one are in alignmentwith the legs of the other at opposite ends of the frame, when theplayyard is in open position. These frame members are pivotallyconnected at their ends by pivot pins 12 and 13 to inverted U-shapedmetal caps '14, which are in turn connected by means of pivots 16 and 17to the legs 18 and 19 at opposite ends, respectively, of the playyard.The two legs at each end of the playyard or crib are connected togetherby means of a foldable brace 28, the two parts 21 and 22 of which arepivotally connected together by means of a pin 23, and are connected bypins 24- and 25, respectively, to the two legs 18 or 19', as the casemay be. A U-shaped clip 26, w ich is secured to the brace parts 21 and2.2 by the pin 23 serves to protect against a person being pinched whenfolding the brace, and serves to limit movement of the brace members 21and 22 in upward direction to prevent accidental collapse of theplayyard. Each leg 18 and 19 is pivotally connected by a foldable brace39 to one of the U-shaped frame members 10. Each brace 30 is made in twoparts 31 and 32 which are pivotally connected together by a pm 33, andwhich are held in extended position against folding in one direction bya U-shaped clip 34. The part 31 of each brace is pivotally connected bymeans of a pin 35 to the associated U frame member and the part 32 ofeach brace is pivotally connected by means of the pin 25 to theassociated leg 18 or 19, as the case may be.

Each of the legs 18 at one end of the playyard or crib has a roller 40rotatably mounted on it adjacent its bottom by means of the stud orshaft 41. Each of the legs 19 at the opposite end of the frame haverubber boots or shoes 42 on them to prevent marring the floor, and tohold the playyard or crib against accidental movement when it is in use.The studs or shafts 41 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longsides of the frame so that the playyard or crib can readily be rolledend- E/ise, when it is tilted slightly to lift the boots 42 ofi the oor.

One pair of legs 18 and 19 is connected together adjacent their lowerends by an inverted U-shaped supporting bar 50, one of whose lower endsis riveted by rivets 52 to the leg 18 of the pair and the other of whoselower ends is riveted by rivets 53 to the other leg 19 of the pair. Theother pair of legs 18 and 19 is connected by a similar bar 51, similarlyattached.

The floor of the playyard is denoted at 55. It is made in one piece. Itis pivotally mounted on the supporting bar 50 by means of U-shaped clips56 that are riveted -to the floor by rivets 57. It is adapted to rest onthe bar 51 when the playyard is open as shown in FIG. 1.

The body or enclosing portion of the playyard is made of a flexiblematerial, such as nylon netting, which is denoted at 60. This netting isshown only fragmentarily in the figures for clarity in illustration ofother parts.

The netting 60 extends all around the playyard inside the legs 18 and19. It is suspended at its upper end from the U-shaped frame members 10by means of a plastic or fabric sleeve 61, to which it is sewed orotherwise fastened. The sleeve 61 may be cut away adjacent the pivots 12and 13 and 35 to permit ready folding. At its lower end the netting issewed or otherwise secured to another sleeve 62 which is lapped over thebottom of the floor of the playyard, and which can be resiliently heldto the floor by spring rods or the like. A crescentshaped slot 65 (FIG.4) is provided in the floor 55 to form a hand grip for lifting the floorin the folding of the playyard and for transporting the playyard when itis folded.

Assuming that the playyard is in the extended position shown in FIGS. 1,3 and 4, to fold the playyard, the braces 20 and 30 at the two ends ofthe playyard are broken, and then the floor is lifted by the hand grip65 to fold the playyard into collapsed position for easy transportation.The floor 55 simply pivots on the cross rod 50 rising off of the crossbar 51; and the legs 18, 18 and 19, 19 fold toward one another. Theiraluminum caps 14 prevent pinching of the fingers in folding.

To open up the playyard for use, a person needs only to grasp theU-shaped frame members 10, and pivot them upwardly to horizontalposition, and to set the braces 20 and 30 in their extended positions.The aluminum caps 14 limit the upward movement of the frame members 10so that these frame members are horizontal when the playyard is open.

As previously stated, the body or skirt 60 is preferably made of nylonnetting for lightness, openness, flexibility and strength, but obviouslymay be made of other flexible materials also. The floor is preferablymade of pressed board, which is light in weight and low in cost.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, thestructure is the same as already described except that the legs are madetelescoping so that the height of the floor 55 of the playyard above thefloor of a room or the ground can be adjusted. The upper section 70 ofeach leg is tubular and is adapted to slidingly receive a tubular lowersection 71. Each upper section has a plurality of holes 72 in it spacedalong its length, that are adapted to receive selectively aspringpressed pin 74 to adjust the height of the playyard above the roomfloor or the ground. A pin 74 is slidingly mounted in a block 73 in theupper end of each leg section 71, and is constantly urged outwardly, toengage a hole 72, when in registry therewith, by a spring 75.

Instead of using U-shaped cross bars such as shown at 55 and 51, thecross bars 78, which support the floor of the combination playyard andcrib, are fastened to the upper portions 70 of the legs by circularclips 75 which are welded or riveted to these leg sections 70.

While the invention has been described in connection with two differentembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodification, and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essentialfeatures hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of theinvention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A folding playyard, crib, or the like device, comprising (a) arectangular shaped frame having two short and two long sides, said framecomprising (b) two rigid, generally U-shaped frame members, disposedwith the ends of one member adjacent the ends of the other member, thebight portions of said frame members forming the longer sides of saidframe and the leg portions of both said U-shaped frame members formingparts of both shorter sides of said frame,

(0) two pairs of legs, one leg of each pair being pivotallyinterconnected adjacent its upper end with one leg portion of each ofthe two frame members, the two legs at each shorter side of the framebeing pivotable toward and from one another,

(d) a brace connecting the two legs at each end of the frame to oneanother to hold the legs in extended unfolded position,

(e) a brace connecting one leg of one pair of legs to one of the framemembers, and a brace connecting one leg of the other pair of legs to theother frame member, to hold the frame members in unfolded position,

(1) a bar rigid with each pair of legs and connecting said legs, the twosaid bars being parallel and extending in the direction of the longersides of said frame,

(g) a single-piece floor pivotally mounted on one of said bars andpositioned to rest on the other of said bars when the legs are pivotedapart, and

(h) a flexible skirt connected at its upper end to said frame around theperimeter thereof and at its lower end around said floor.

2. A folding playyard, crib, or the like device, as claimed in claim 1,wherein the two legs at one end of the frame carry (a) rollers forrotation about axes extending transversely to the longer sides of theframe, when unfolded, whereby the device can be rolled in the directionof the longer sides of said frame.

3. A folding playyard, crib, or like device, as claimed in claim 1wherein (a)said legs are telescopic, whereby the height of the floor ofthe device above the bottom ends of the legs can be adjusted, and

(b) having means for securing the legs in any adjusted position.

4. A folding playyard, crib, or the like device, comprising (a) arectangular shaped frame having two short and 5 two long sides, saidframe comprising (b) two rigid, generally U-shaped frame membersdisposed with the ends 'of one member adjacent the ends of the othermember, the bight portions of said frame members forming the longersides of said frame and the leg portions of both said U-shaped framemembers forming parts of both shorter sides of said frame,

(0) two pairs of legs,

(d) one pair of legs being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upperends with one frame member and the other pair of legs being pivotallyinterconnected adjacent their upper ends with the other frame member,

(e) the two legs of each pair being disposed, respectively, at oppositeshorter sides of the frame,

(1) the two legs at each shorter side of the frame being pivotabletoward one another in folding the device and being pivotable away fromone another in unfolding it,

(g) a brace connecting the two legs at each shorter side of the frame toone another to hold the legs in extended, unfolded position,

(h) a brace connecting one leg of one pair of legs to one of the framemembers, and a brace connecting one leg of the other pair of legs to theother frame member, to hold the frame members in unfolded position,

in claim 4, wherein the two legs at one shorter side of the frame carry(a) rollers for rotation about axes extending transyersely to the longersides of the frame, when unfolded, whereby the device can be rolled, fortransportation, in the direction of the longer sides of the frame.

6. A folding playyard, crib, or like device, as claimed 20 in claim 4,wherein (a) said legs are telescopic, whereby the height of the floor ofthe device above the bottom ends of the legs can be adjusted, and

(b) having means for securing the legs in any adjusted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,486,093 Amelung Oct. 25, 1949 2,901,755 Wood Sept. 1, 1959 FOREIGNPATENTS 640,023 France Mar. 19, 1928

1. A FOLDING PLAYYARD, CRIB, OR THE LIKE DEVICE, COMPRISING (A) ARECTANGULAR SHAPED FRAME HAVING TWO SHORT AND TWO LONG SIDES, SAID FRAMECOMPRISING (B) TWO RIGID, GENERALLY U-SHAPED FRAME MEMBERS, DISPOSEDWITH THE ENDS OF ONE MEMBER ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE OTHER MEMBER, THEBIGHT PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS FORMING THE LONGER SIDES OF SAIDFRAME AND THE LEG PORTIONS OF BOTH SAID U-SHAPED FRAME MEMBERS FORMINGPARTS OF BOTH SHORTER SIDES OF SAID FRAME, (C) TWO PAIRS OF LEGS, ONELEG OF EACH PAIR BEING PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED ADJACENT ITS UPPER ENDWITH ONE LEG PORTION OF EACH OF THE TWO FRAME MEMBERS, THE TWO LEGS ATEACH SHORTER SIDE OF THE FRAME BEING PIVOTABLE TOWARD AND FROM ONEANOTHER, (D) A BRACE CONNECTING THE TWO LEGS AT EACH END OF THE FRAME TOONE ANOTHER TO HOLD THE LEGS IN EXTENDED UNFOLDED POSITION, (E) A BRACECONNECTING ONE LEG OF ONE PAIR OF LEGS TO ONE OF THE FRAME MEMBERS, ANDA BRACE CONNECTING ONE LEG OF THE OTHER PAIR OF LEGS TO THE OTHER FRAMEMEMBER, TO HOLD THE FRAME MEMBERS IN UNFOLDED POSITION, (F) A BAR RIGIDWITH EACH PAIR OF LEGS AND CONNECTING SAID LEGS, THE TWO SAID BARS BEINGPARALLEL AND EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LONGER SIDES OF SAIDFRAME, (G) A SINGLE-PIECE FLOOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID BARSAND POSITIONED TO REST ON THE OTHER OF SAID BARS WHEN THE LEGS AREPIVOTED APART, AND (H) A FLEXIBLE SKIRT CONNECTED AT ITS UPPER END TOSAID FRAME AROUND THE PERIMETER THEREOF AND AT ITS LOWER END AROUND SAIDFLOOR.